Gun control circuit for semi-automatic operation of machine gun



June 23, 1959 M. w. BAIR 2,891,449

GUN CONTROL cmcurr FOR SEMI-AUTOMATIC OPERATION OF MACHINE cum Filed Aug. 22, 1955 ump IN V EN TOR. Mil/PRO) M4 M0 30m.

Uni Stews Pa en GUN CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR SEMI-AUTOMATIC OPERATION OF MACHINE GUN Murray W. Bair, Fort Wayne, Ind., assignor to The Magnavox Company, Fort Wayne, Ind., a corporation Application August 22, 1955, Serial No. 529,785

3 Claims. (Cl. 89-135) This invention relates generally to electrically operated machine guns, and more particularly it relates to an electrical controlling device for electrically operating machine guns.

Electrically operated machine guns include a gun firing solenoid which releases the bolt. An electrical circuit is coupled to the solenoid and is of such character that a firing control switch may be closed, whereby the firing solenoid automatically releases the bolt to cause a high rate of firing.

During the training period of a machine gun operator, and particularly during the initial part of such training, it is desirable that the conventional electrically operated machine gun be controllable to fire only a single shot when the firing control button is operated. This conserves ammunition and makes it easier for the student operator to acquire skill in the aiming and firing of guns of this type.

Accordingly, the principal object of this invention is to provide an auxiliary controller for electrically operated machine guns which may be plugged into the conventional firing control circuit to provide the firing of only a single round of ammunition when the firing control switch is closed.

In accordance with this invention there is provided a controller for electrically operated machine guns having a relay responsive to the closing of a firing control switch and operative to open the circuit of the gun firing solenoid within a fixed period of time after the solenoid is energized, whereby the solenoid is effective to cause firing of only a single round when the firing control switch is closed.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawing and the following description and claims:

The single figure of the drawing is a circuit diagram illustrating the preferred embodiment of this invention.

In accordance with this invention there is provided a controller for firing electrically operated machine guns which comprises a firing control switch 10, one side of which may be connected to the positive terminal of the battery 11 and the other side of which may be connected through a pair of relay contacts 12 with the standard gun firing solenoid 14. It will readily be understood by those skilled in the art that solenoid 14 may be incorporated in and is a conventional electrical device for controlling the firing of automatic machine guns.

The relay 15, operatively associated with contacts 12,

,5 2,891,449 Patented June 23, 1959 may be connected through a resistor 16 to the normally open contact of switch 10 and to the negative terminal or ground of battery 11. A condenser 17 may be connected in series with resistor 16 and in parallel with relay 15 to form a time constant circuit for delaying the operation of relay 15 for the period of time required for the bolt to move through a firing cycle.

In operation a student gunner may close switch 10, thereby completing a circuit from battery 11 through normally closed relay contacts 12 and the firing solenoid 14. The firing solenoid releases the bolt of the machine gun, whereby it commences its travel through a firing cycle.

Relay 15 does not energize immediately due to the time period required for condenser 17 to charge through resistor 16. The time constant of this circuit is adjusted so that condenser 17 will charge up to line voltage after a period of time ranging from forty-five to sixtysix milliseconds. After this period of time the condenser will have charged enough to allow relay 15 to become sufficiently energized to open contacts 12. As a result, solenoid 14 will be de-energized, and the firing of a second round is prevented.

Relay 15 will remain energized so long as switch 10 is held in closed position, whereby it is necessary to open switch 10 and de-energize relay 15 before another round can be fired. When the switch 10 is opened, relay 15 will de-energize, permitting contacts 12 to close. Switch 10 may then be closed for firing a second round in the manner described in connection with the firing of a first round.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that this invention provides a simple controller which may be connected by suitable plugs into the conventional gun firing control circuit which forms a standard part of an electrically operated machine gun. Thus, a conventional machine gun may be utilized for teaching student gunners without any material or permanent alteration thereof.

The invention claimed is:

1. A controller for an electrically operated machine gun of the type having a gun firing solenoid and a source of potential for energizing said solenoid comprising a normally open firing control switch coupled to said source and closable for firing said gun, a relay coupled to said switch and said source for actuation and deactuation thereby and having normally closed contacts coupled between said switch and said solenoid whereby closure of said switch energizes said solenoid and actuation of said relay deenergizes said solenoid to prevent a second firing of said gun, and a timing circuit including a condenser connected across said relay having a charging characteristic of such nature as to delay energization of said relay and opening of its contacts until after said solenoid has been energized for a definite time period suflicient to permit the bolt of said gun to travel through a firing cycle.

2. A controller for an electrically operated machine gun of the type having a gun firing solenoid and a source of potential for energizing said solenoid comprising, a firing control switch coupled to said source and operable for firing said gun, a relay coupled to said switch and said source for actuation and deactuation thereby and having contacts coupled between said switch and said solenoid whereby operation of said switch actuates said solenoid and actuation of said relay deenergizes said solenoid to prevent a second firing of said gun, and a timing circuit coupled to said relay for 6 delaying actuation of said relay until after said solenoid has been actuated for a definite time period sufficient to permit the bolt of said gun to travel through a firing cycle.

3.A controller for an electrically operated machine 10 gun of the type having a gun firing electromagnet and a source of potential for energizing said electromagnet comprising, firing control means coupled to said source for initiating an operating cycle of said electromagnet and firing said gun, means coupled to and operated by said initiating means and said source for terminating said cycle and disabling said electromagnet to prevent a second firing of said gun, and timing means coupled to said terminating means for initiating operation of said terminating means after said electromagnet has been actuated for a definite time period sufiicient to permit the bolt of said gun to travel through a firing cycle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,448,024 Golden Aug. 31, 1948 

